'President's Own' Marine Band coming to Wharton for free concert

TUESDAY, Sept. 19 — The “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, a 135-member emsemble that turned 225 years old this year, will present a free performance at the Wharton Center next month, with tickets available beginning Monday.

The free tickets for the 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 performance, which are limited to four per person, may be obtained from the Wharton Center’s box office, online at whartoncenter.com or by calling (517) 432-2000 or 1.800WHARTON starting at 10 a.m. Monday.

The band, which dates to 1798, is widely considered America’s oldest continuously performing musical organization. It has performed for every U.S. president starting with the second one, John Adams. Its original purpose was to play for the president and the Marine commandant. In 1898, John Phillips Sousa, its 17^th director, led the band on its first tour. Its Wharton performance comes as part of a 31-day, 4,600-mile Midwestern tour.

Concertgoers can expect a mix of works including traditional band repertoire, Sousa marches, contemporary compositions, vocal and instrumental solos and a patriotic salute to the Armed Forces.

“We have tremendously appreciative patrons who come to Marine Band concerts for all types of different experiences, so our programs are designed to include a great variety of music that mirrors the wonderful diversity in our national musical heritage,” Marine Band Director Col. Jason Fettig said.

Seating in the Cobb Great Hall is general admission, and ticket holders must be seated by 7:15, after which available seats will be given to a standby line.